CE 310

PLAIN AND REINFORCED CONCRETE -II

Rebound Hammer Test on Hardened Concrete

MILITARY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

RISALPUR
Objective:
Rebound hammer test is done to find out the compressive strength of concrete
Scope:
This test is also known as the Schmidt hammer or impact hammer, and is a
non-destructive method of testing concrete. The test is based on the principle that
the rebound of an elastic mass depends on the hardness of the surface against
which the mass impinges.
Field requirement of test:

The rebound hammer is designed to carry out instant non-destructive

test on concrete structure without damage and gives an immediate
indication of the compressive strength of the concrete using the
calibration curve available on each instrument.
This test method is not intended as the basis for acceptance or
rejection of concrete because of the inherent uncertainty in the
estimated strength
Theory:
The rebound of an elastic mass depends on the hardness of the surface
against which its mass strikes. When the plunger of the rebound hammer is
pressed against the surface of the concrete, the controlled mass rebounds and
the extent of such a rebound depends upon the surface hardness of the
concrete. The surface hardness and therefore the rebound is taken to be related
to the compressive strength of the concrete. The rebound value is read from a
graduated scale and is designated as the rebound number or rebound index.
The compressive strength can be read directly from the graph provided on the
body of the hammer.
 Apparatus:
 Rebound hammer
 Abrasive stone: consisting of medium-grain texture silicon carbide or
equivalent material
 Calibration block / Anvil
Selection of Test Surface:
Concrete members to be tested shall be at least 4 in thick and fixed within a
structure. Smaller specimens must be rigidly supported. Areas exhibiting
honeycombing, scaling, rough texture, or high porosity should be avoided.
Concrete should be approximately the same age and moisture condition in order
to be compared. Dry concretes give higher rebound numbers than wet concrete.
Preparation of test surface:
A test area shall be at least 6 in diameter. Heavily textured, soft, or surfaces
with loose mortar shall be ground smooth with the abrasive stone. Smooth
formed or toweled surface shall be tested without grinding. Concretes over 6
months old may require grinding to a depth of 2in if they are to be compared to
younger concretes. Grinding to this depth is not feasible without power
equipment.
Calibration:
Before commencement of a test, the rebound hammer should be
tested against the test anvil, to get reliable results, for which the
manufacturer of the rebound hammer indicates the range of
readings on the anvil suitable for different types of rebound hammer.
Procedure:
Firmly hold the instrument in a position that allows the plunger to strike
perpendicularly to the surface tested. Gradually increase the pressure on the
plunger until the hammer impacts.
 After impact, record the rebound number to two significant figures.
 Take average of atleast ten readings from each test area. No two impact tests
shall be closer together than 1 in.
 Calculation:
Thus, the hardness of concrete and rebound hammer reading can be
correlated with compressive strength of concrete. The rebound value is read
off along a graduated scale and is designated as the rebound number or
rebound index The compressive strength can be read directly from the graph
provided on the body of the hammer.
Factors affecting rebound number
• Surface finish of the concrete being tested
• Moisture content of the concrete
• Temperature
• Carbonation
• Direction of impact
Observation table :
Exp Reading Quality of conc.
1 32 Good layer
2 44 Very good hard layer
3 18 Poor concrete
4 23 Fair

Compressive strength is 3900psi for first reading as shown in graph

 INTERPRETATION OF THE TEST RESULTS

AVERAGE REBOUND NUMBER QUALITY OF VONCRETE

>40 Very good hard layer

30 to 40 Good Layer

20 to 30 Fair

< 20 Poor Concrete

0 Delaminated

The rebound hammer give a rebound number between 10 to 100..